Case for packet of cigarettes

ABSTRACT

“CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK”, disclosing a case (1) which comprises a cigarette compartment (2) and an ash compartment (3), such ash compartment (3) is arranged on the side of the cigarette compartment (2) and is provided with a sliding door (5) which has an anchoring tab (6). The main advantages presented by the invention are a compact design that allows the transport thereof in pockets and clothes without the risk of scattering the dirt stored therein while still allowing the hands-free use thereof through the anchoring tab (6).

INTERNAL PRIORITY

This patent application refers to the Internal Priority of Patent Application BR102018013601-1, filed on Jul. 2, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the field of application of tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and smokers' articles, more precisely in the receptacles or boxes for cigars or cigarettes combined with other objects.

The invention provides a case for cigarette pack, which is designed to protect the pack and, consequently, its cigarette units against weather and deformation resulting from the storage of packs in pockets of clothing, wherein said invention has an innovative compartment for storing ash and butts resulting from cigarette burning, and wherein said compartment is located on the side of the case, having a sliding opening system as well as a top anchoring tab that allows its allocation in different places, such as tables, walls, small walls, chairs, among others, allowing also the transportation of such butts and ash to appropriate locations, as well as reducing, thus, the presence of such residues on the streets and contributing directly to the reduction of global pollution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an entity linked to the United Nations (UN), there were around 1.1 billion smoking adults in the world in 2018, that is, 1 in 5 people in the world smoked regularly.

In addition to the health problems associated with smoking habits, which killed around 7 million people in 2017, another major problem is the amount of polluting waste generated from the burning of cigarettes. According to an NBC report, cigarette butts are the most common polluting items found in the oceans, surpassing packaging and plastic bags.

It is estimated that 5.6 trillion cigarettes are produced annually in the world, and most of them has an element called filter, which is produced in cellulose acetate, a plastic material that takes about a decade to decompose and is not burned during cigarette consumption, being discarded at the end of its use. The problem is that most of these filters are disposed of inappropriately—it is estimated that ⅔ of the total are thrown directly on sidewalks, streets, through the windows of automobiles or transport vehicles. These filters are transported by rain to sanitary sewers and storm drains, and many of them are discharged into the oceans, leading to a great environmental impact, unbalancing the ecosystem and causing the death of many animals. Altogether, WHO estimates that more than 680 million kilograms of tobacco waste are generated annually.

Another problem associated with the inappropriate disposal of cigarette residues refers to burning. Studies indicate that cigarette butts are the main cause of fire and burning in marginal areas of roads and highways. As the cigarette butts are not always correctly put out when disposed, they can potentially start small fires if they are in contact with flammable materials or even vegetation with low or no amount of water, as usual with vegetations that border the roads and highway.

The best known and most used way to dispose of both the cigarette butts and the ash resulting from their burning are the utensils known as ashtrays. The ashtrays were initially built in ceramic or rocky materials, aiming to meet the need not to spread flames but also because these materials have aesthetic appeal, and such ashtrays quickly became decorative items, with the most diverse types of finishes and designs being applied to them.

However, many countries, through local and specific legislation, have banned smoking indoors, thus making it difficult to use ashtrays made of notoriously heavy ceramic and rocky materials. In this way, smoking-friendly places were established in which metallic ashtrays, of greater volumetric capacity, normally built in a circular shape, supported by a cylindrical rod, are available. However, the large concentration of people at those places consequently lead to the accumulation of waste in the vicinity of such metal ashtrays, and such waste is often taken away by the rainwaters.

As many people usually consume cigarettes while moving from one place to another, the use of these static ashtrays becomes impracticable, thus contributing to the inappropriate disposal of the butts.

In this way, solutions were developed that allowed the use of ashtrays by cigarette users while they are far from smoking areas. A first solution consisted of making ashtrays in materials lighter than ceramics, but containing the same flame-retardant characteristics.

These solutions, in turn, brought another type of inconvenience, in this case the excess of accessories necessary for the smoker enjoys the cigarette away from specific smoking areas, namely the cigarette pack itself, the lighter and the ashtray. Another problem was that after using the mobile ashtray by the user and consequently storing the ash and butts in it, the transport of such ashtray could not be done in a pocket of clothing, since the dirt stored there would be transmitted to the clothes.

This type of problem originated solutions that involved the development of portable ashtrays that would allow their transport after the storage of ash and butts inside, as disclosed in document CN108685168, which presents a portable ashtray with a compartment that stores ash and butts from the burning cigarette in a closed compartment.

Many other similar solutions have been developed, but none have combined the functionality of storing ash and butts from cigarette burning with the protection of cigarettes against weather changes and transport problems while disposed in pockets of clothing and the presence of support and fixation flap for using such a device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a case for cigarette pack which allows the proper storage of cigarette packs inside, protecting it from deformation caused by transport in pockets of clothing, preserving the product's optimum characteristics.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a case of cigarette pack with a compartment for storing ash and butts from the burning of cigarettes.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system for the compartment opening and closing in order to store ash that allows the transport of waste without the possibility of contamination of clothing and/or bags, backpacks, etc.

Furthermore, it is an objective of the invention to provide a support system for the case for cigarette pack, allowing a handsfree use of it, for example, in pockets, or on clothing belts, bicycles, chair backs, among others.

Finally, it is also the objective of the present invention to present a case for cigarette pack with a compartment for the storage of ash and butts, containing reduced and compact dimensions that allow its use in pockets of several clothing, without bringing discomfort to users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of this Invention will be totally clear in its technical aspects from the detailed description that will be made based on the figures listed below, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the case for cigarette pack in its most compact configuration, that is, with the compartment for storing ash and butts, as well as the closed compartment for storing cigarette pack.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the case for cigarette pack in its widest configuration, that is, with the open compartment for storing ash and butts and the open compartment for cigarette pack;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the case for cigarette pack in its most compact configuration; and

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the case for cigarette pack in its widest configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the objectives presented through the brief description, the present patent application “CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK” discloses a case (1) made in flexible polymer material, preferably resistant to high temperatures and which may also be made in flexible metal material, so that said case (1) has a substantially-parallelepipedal shape, which comprises a cigarette compartment (2) and an ash compartment (3).

The case (1) has a base (11) joined to a front wall (12), a rear wall (13) and a side wall (14), all with their corners slightly rounded, preventing the formation of sharp edges. Said case (1) has an inner wall (15), directly opposite to the side wall (14) and also joined to the base (11), so that together with the side wall (14), the rear wall (13) and the front wall (12), they delimit the cigarette compartment (2).

The cigarette compartment (2) has a lid (4) connected to the rear wall (13), so that said lid (4) is freely movable in order to open and close the cigarette compartment (2), said lid (4) having a substantially-parallelepiped shape so that a cigarette pack can be placed inside the cigarette compartment (2).

Together with the base (11), but opposite to the inner wall (15), the case (1) has a closing wall (31) which is joined to the front wall (12) and the rear wall (13), thus delimiting the ash compartment (3) which has its depth determined by the inner wall (15).

The closing wall (31) has, on its face, an opening (32) at the upper middle region in a rectangular shape which gives access to the internal portion of the ash compartment (3). In its lower portion, the closing wall (31) has a closing plane which is slightly lower than the front wall (12), the rear wall (13) and the base (11), more precisely as to the face of their joining.

The internal face of the front wall (12), with respect to the portion located in the ash compartment (3), in the region close to the closing wall (31), has a rectangular recess (12 a), in a rectangular shape, which extends vertically from the region of the joining with the base (11) to its opposite end.

The internal face of the rear wall (13), with respect to the portion located in the ash compartment (3), in the region close to the closing wall (31), has a rectangular recess (13 a), in a rectangular shape, which extends vertically from the region of the joining with the base (11) to its opposite end, the said recess (13 a) and the recess (12 a) being aligned.

The ash compartment (3) also comprises a sliding door (5) which fits into the recesses (12 a and 13 a), so that said sliding door (5) moves up and down through these recesses (12 a and 13 a).

The sliding door (5) has a rectangular shape, with the same width as the distance between the front wall (12) and the rear wall (13). On its face, the sliding door (5) has a central rectangular opening called window (51). During the movement of the sliding door (5), when the window (51) aligns with the opening (32), the ash compartment (3) is in the open condition, that is, able to receive both cigarette ash and butts, as well as to remove the dirt stored therein.

In its upper portion, the sliding door (5) has an anchoring tab (6), arranged perpendicularly, that is, at an angle of ninety degrees in relation to the face of the sliding door (5). Said anchoring tab (6), when the sliding door (5) is in the condition of closing the ash compartment (3), remains facing the upper portion of the ash compartment (3).

The anchoring tab (6) has several functions, among them that of assisting the movement of the sliding door (5) and that of supporting the case (1) in conditions where the user needs their hands free. The anchoring tab (6) has greater malleability than the case (1) in order to allow it to adjust to other surfaces such as the edge of a jeans pocket.

In its interior, the ash compartment (3) has, directly aligned with the center of the opening (32), a circular region in relief, which allows the cigarette butt to be put out by the pressure made by the user on the butt against the circular region in relief, thus ensuring that the butts stored in the ash compartment (3) are put out.

In constructive variations, the case (1) may have the ash compartment (3) both on the front wall (12) as well as on the rear wall (13), and the base (11) joined to these by magnetic elements.

Still in constructive variations, the case (1) may present, next to the cigarette compartment (2), a space for storing lighters.

The main advantage of the case (1) is the protection of the cigarette pack or loose cigarettes, as well as the provision of an ash compartment (3), which allows its use while the user is on the move or away from specific smoking areas, allowing an adequate disposal of both ash and butts, thus avoiding their disposal directly on the floor.

Another important advantage regarding the case (1) is the presence of an anchoring tab (6) that allows the case (1) to be used by the user without the need to use one of his hands to support it.

An advantage of the case (1) is also the fact that it comprises an ash compartment (3) next to the cigarette compartment (2), so that the user always has the compartment in hand for the correct disposal of ash and butts, unlike conventional ashtrays that can be forgotten because they are not directly associated with the cigarette compartment.

Finally, another advantage of the case (1) is its opening and closing system for the ash compartment (3), based on a sliding door (5), which allows a quick opening for the disposal of ash and butts, as well as a correct closure of the ash compartment (3) so that dirt does not scatter through the storage location of the case (1), that is pockets of clothing, bags, backpacks and others.

It should be understood that the present description does not limit the application to the details described herein and that the invention is capable of other modalities and can be practiced or performed in several manners, within the scope of the claims. Although specific terms have been used, such terms should be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purpose of limiting. 

1. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, comprising an accessory for storing a cigarette pack or individual cigarettes, made in flexible polymeric material, preferably resistant to high temperatures or even metallic material, characterized in that it presents a case (1), with parallelepipedal shape comprising a cigarette compartment (2) and an ash compartment (3); wherein the case (1) has a base (11) joined to a front wall (12), a rear wall (13) and a side wall (14), all with slightly rounded corners; the case (1) having an inner wall (15) directly opposite to the side wall (14) and also joined to the base (11), so that together with the side wall (14) the rear wall (13) and the front wall (12) they delimit the cigarette compartment (2), and together with base (11), the case (1) presents an closing wall (31) opposite to inner wall (15), being such closing wall (31) joined to front wall (12) and the rear wall (13), thus delimiting the ash compartment (3), which has its depth determined by the inner wall (15).
 2. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 1, characterized in that the cigarette compartment (2) of the case (1), contains a lid (4) connected to the rear wall (13), with parallelepipedal shape.
 3. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing wall (31) has an opening (32) on its face at the upper middle region in a rectangular shape and in its lower portion, the closing wall (31) has a closing plane, which is slightly lower than the front wall (12), the rear wall (13) and the base (11), more precisely as to the face of its joining.
 4. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner face of the front wall (12) has a rectangular recess (12 a) in the region close to the closing wall (31), in a rectangular shape, which extends vertically from the region of the joining with the base (11) to its opposite end.
 5. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner face of the rear wall (13) has a rectangular recess (13 a) in the region close to the closing wall (31), in a rectangular shape, which extends vertically from the region of the joining with the base (11) to its opposite end.
 6. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the recess (13 a) and the recess (12 a) are aligned.
 7. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ash compartment (3) comprises a sliding door (5) fitted into the recesses (12 a and 13 a).
 8. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 7, characterized in that the sliding door (5) has a rectangular shape in the same width as the distance between the front wall (12) and the rear wall (13).
 9. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the sliding door (5) has a central rectangular opening called window (51) on its face.
 10. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 7, characterized in that the sliding door (5) has an anchoring tab (6), arranged perpendicularly in relation to the face of the sliding door (5).
 11. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ash compartment (3) has a circular region in relief inside it, directly aligned with the center of the opening (32).
 12. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a constructive variant, the case (1) has the ash compartment (3) on both the front wall (12) and the rear wall (13), and the base (11) joined to these by magnetic elements.
 13. CASE FOR CIGARETTE PACK, according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a constructive variant, the case (1) has a space next to the cigarette compartment (2) for the storage of lighters. 